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Global Information Inequalities: Bridging the information gap

Edited by Deborah Charbonneau, Wayne State University, USA

Chandos Information Professional Series

 - provides readers with an overview of possibilities for equitable library service delivery in a global context
 - provides readers with numerous examples and case studies particularly useful for practitioners
 - examples also provide unique examinations of country-specific issues in a global context
 - written in a simple, thorough, and multidisciplinary approach, the book offers insights to students, researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and professionals

The disparity in access to information is a worldwide phenomenon. Global Information Inequalities offers a captivating look into problems of information access across the world today. One of the unique strengths of the book is the use of examples of library initiatives from around the world to illustrate the range of possibilities for equitable access and library service delivery in a global context. It contains numerous examples of a wide variety of information problems and solutions ranging from developing literacy programs in rural communities in Tanzania, building school libraries in China, making government-related information more transparent in Chile, to exploring how digital technologies have the potential to revolutionize the lives of people with sensory-disabilities. The contributions in Global Information Inequalities address a number of core professional issues, including access to information, library services, collection development, global collaboration, intellectual property, and digital information. The contributors are from Argentina, Canada, Chile, China, Iceland, Malaysia, Peru, South Africa, Tanzania, United States, and Zambia, thereby providing a wide range of perspectives on librarianship. Written in a simple, thorough, and multidisciplinary approach, the book presents and discusses key issues in various library settings and from different perspectives. Overall, this work contributes to a global examination and exploration of libraries in various parts of the world. This book has a wide appeal and is applicable to various library environments (including academic, public, and special libraries).

Readership: This book has a wide appeal and is applicable to various library environments (including academic, public, and special libraries). In addition, this book will be of interest to library and information science students and related educators and students. Overall, this book is a valuable resource for both practitioners and students interested in ensuring equitable access to information for all citizens.

£42.50 / US$70.00 / €50.00

£62.50 / US$105.00 / €75.00

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About the editor

Deborah H. Charbonneau is a Librarian at the Vera P. Shiffman Medical Library at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, USA. She currently serves as Principal Investigator for the U.S. National Library of Medicine-funded Urban Health Partners program. She facilitates partnerships between the library and community agencies and has also developed training programs and online products to provide information to diverse populations. She holds a B.A. in English Literature and an M.L.S. from the University of Pittsburgh. She is currently a Ph.D. student in the Sociology Program at Wayne State University.

Titles which may also be of interest:
Libraries and Society
Freedom of Information and the Developing World
The Politics of Libraries and Librarianship
Librarianship and Human Rights
Globalisation, Information and Libraries

Contents

PART 1 INFORMATION MOBILISATION: SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PART 2 INFORMATION EMPOWERMENT: EQUITABLE ACCESS AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
PART 3 SOCIAL INCLUSION: INCLUSIVE LIBRARY SERVICES FOR THOSE WITH SENSORY AND LEARNING DISABILITIES
PART 4 INFORMATION DIVIDES: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR A GLOBAL INFORMATION SOCIETY

PART 1 INFORMATION MOBILISATION: SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Sustainable access: an international perspective
R Jansen and M Sellar
 - Introduction
 - From Greeks to Gutenberg to Google: a revolution in access?
 - Profiling Librarians Without Borders
 - Lessons learned: advice for other grassroots initiatives
 - Conclusions
 - References

Developing a model for library resource sharing in China’s rural communities
F Y Chao
 - Introduction
 - Background and overview
 - Our program: providing information resources to rural China
 - School libraries
 - Community involvement
 - Satellite book stations
 - Future directions
 - Conclusions
 - References

Braving rapids and winding timber-tracks: towards equitable access to information for libraries in Sarawak
R Bolhassan and W M Razali
 - Introduction
 - Background
 - Library development initiatives
 - Impact
 - Considerations and challenges
 - Conclusions and the way forward
 - References and further reading

Community resource centres in Mtwara, Lindi and Ruvuma regions in Tanzania: an evaluation of their development needs, usefulness, and the way forward
Alli AS Mcharazo
 - Introduction
 - Background
 - Evaluation of Community Resource Centres (CRCs)
 - in southern Tanzania
 - Findings
 - Implications
 - Community involvement in CRCs
 - Information needs of CRC users
 - Profiles of operational CRCs
 - Discussion
 - Future directions
 - Conclusions
 - References

PART 2 INFORMATION EMPOWERMENT: EQUITABLE ACCESS AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Is there a moon in the United States? Information reception, flow and use in rural villages on the Amazon river basin of Peru
N Dunn and F Saavedra
 - Introduction
 - Location
 - Daily life, communication and information sharing
 - New influences: information arriving from abroad
 - Centro de Conocimiento Compartido
 - Immediate needs for access to better communication and information
 - Reference

Libraries and citizen participation in Chile: I have the right to know
A María and P Yáñez
 - Introduction
 - What is citizen participation in a democracy?
 - How has Chile advanced in social inclusion?
 - How do libraries develop closer ties to citizens?
 - How has the Library of the National Congress (LNC) committed itself to citizen participation?
 - What are the goals of the LNC?
 - Has the LNC found the right path to follow?
 - How has the LNC made these dreams of opening new spaces
 - for citizen participation come true?
 - What participatory methodologies did the LNC use?
 - Did LNC activities have an impact?
 - Conclusions: what did we learn?
 - References and further reading

Equity and access: is countrywide access to databases an option?
S Olafsson
 - Introduction
 - Iceland Consortia for electronic subscriptions
 - The setting
 - Public information policy and the Iceland Consortia
 - Conclusions
 - References

PART 3 SOCIAL INCLUSION: INCLUSIVE LIBRARY SERVICES FOR THOSE WITH SENSORY AND LEARNING DISABILITIES

Working together to provide an inclusive library service: a Canadian model
F Bobier and S Paterson
 - Introduction
 - Background
 - Visunet Canada Partners Program (VCPP)
 - Partners in the community
 - How the partnership begins
 - Funding
 - Opportunities
 - Case studies
 - Discussion of challenges
 - Future directions
 - Conclusions
 - References
 - Appendix: websites for further information

Copyright: are people with sensory disabilities getting a fair deal?
D R Nicholson
 - Introduction
 - What is copyright?
 - Limitations and exceptions
 - Copyright laws addressing persons with sensory disabilities
 - Developing countries’ perspectives
 - Copyright clearance agencies
 - Barriers to information
 - Non-availability of alternative formats
 - Inadequate library services
 - Lack of specialised information
 - Digital technology
 - Digital rights management systems
 - Further implications for libraries
 - Conclusions
 - References

PART 4 INFORMATION DIVIDES: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR A GLOBAL INFORMATION SOCIETY

Bookmobiles: providing equitable service to all
J Meadows
 - Introduction
 - Changes in bookmobile services
 - Bookmobile service: defeating information access barriers
 - Programming and alternate uses for mobile library service
 - Conclusions
 - References

When the knowledge ditch is dug by our own hands: libraries, indigenous peoples, and strategic information
E Civallero
 - Introduction: ditches and divides
 - Background: information divides in the indigenous case
 - A closer look at information divides
 - Possible solutions
 - Profiles of libraries in indigenous communities
 - Discussion
 - Conclusions
 - References

MedlinePlus Go Local: connecting at-risk populations with health care services
A M Healy
 - Introduction
 - What is MedlinePlus Go Local?
 - How are Go Local projects developed?
 - Locating health services for at-risk populations
 - Bridging the information gap
 - Conclusions
 - References

Barriers to free and equal access to information: implications for being informed in sub-Saharan Africa
C W Kanyengo and M T Tange Mufalo
 - Introduction
 - Sub-Saharan Africa
 - Access to information in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
 - Political barriers
 - Access costs
 - Institutional barriers
 - Cultural barriers
 - Economic barriers
 - Personal barriers
 - Policy implications for libraries and information services provision
 - Conclusions
 - References